Pennsylvania Basic Education/Higher Education Science and Technology Partnerships

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1 Pennsylvania Basic Education/Higher Education Science and Technology Partnerships Science in Motion & Advancing Science Annual Report Executive Summary The year 2010 brought new financial challenges for Science In Motion in its role as the premier high school science education outreach program for the Commonwealth. Current economic times resulted in serious budget reductions and funding freezes that forced many of the consortium sites to reduce service areas, cut service for many months, or completely shut down for the entire year. Despite these challenges, Science In Motion weathered the storm and all sites anticipate resuming service again for the school year. Furthermore, despite budget passage delays and an overall 25% budget cut, Science in Motion was still able to muster impressive service statistics. Our science education specialists from the twelve colleges and universities presented over 3,400 hands-on laboratory experiences to 291 different schools. The program also provided an additional 6,403 drop-off laboratory kits for short term loan and offered 43 days of professional development workshop opportunities for teachers. Overall, Science In Motion provided 612 different teachers with 1,059 different labs creating 188,622 student experiences during the school year. Despite an unprecedented budget deficit year for the Commonwealth, Science In Motion continued to experience high bipartisan support by members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Bills to codify the SIM program in state law have been unanimously supported by the House and Senate Education Committees and by the full House and Senate. A school code bill that establishes a higher education basic education science partnership has been passed and sent to the governor. What is Science in Motion? Most Pennsylvania high schools cannot afford the modern high-tech equipment that it takes to prepare students for today s careers in science, engineering and other technical fields. High-tech science training is especially expensive as this requires multiple sets of equipment so that each student can get a hands-on inquiry-based experience. This classroom deficiency is compounded by the added need for intensive maintenance and management of equipment and software, training to keep teachers up to date on advances in science and technology, and access to relevant standards-aligned activities that utilize the technology. Additionally, even if an individual school musters the resources to provide a hightech lab experience, much of the equipment would sit on the shelf for most of the year as it would be used for only one topic in the breadth of curriculum that must be covered. In 1987, a team of Pennsylvania Science teachers, a local college and the National Science Foundation set out to tackle these problems. They developed a hugely successful shared resources partnership that is now known nationally as Science In Motion. Science In Motion (SIM) addresses the needs of science, engineering, and technology in the classroom by providing the following support to schools: 1

2 Access to hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of well maintained modern scientific equipment and supplies. Visiting science education specialists that go into the classroom to team teach high-tech science labs with the school s faculty. Professional development workshops to help teachers keep abreast of the latest developments in science and transfer that knowledge to the classroom. Standards aligned laboratory activities for students. Through SIM, even the poorest rural and urban schools can provide their students with hands-on modern science and technology training. Eight out of ten teachers in the program agree that SIM makes the difference between being adequately resourced for teaching science as opposed to not being adequately resourced. Science In Motion provides these services through a partnership between the commonwealth and 12 select colleges and universities in Pennsylvania. This shared resources partnership has several advantages. First, high schools now have access to multiple sets of equipment that they could otherwise never afford. This equipment remains in circulation, shared by a regional cluster of schools rather than sitting on a shelf of a single school most of the time. Additionally, the host colleges and universities provide not only administrative and grant support, but also modern laboratory space for preparation of experiments, chemical ordering, safety and disposal services, and work study and assistantship opportunities for pre-service teachers. Finally with colleges and universities as partners, the door is now open for local corporate, foundation and community backing for science education. For example, in 2008, SIM leveraged nearly one quarter of a million dollars in matching support. The value of the SIM model has been proven in multiple assessments, and its success can also be seen by the spread of SIM throughout much of Pennsylvania, a backlog of requests for establishment of new sites in the commonwealth, and the adoption of the model in other regions, including statewide programs in Delaware and Alabama. Why is Science In Motion important? As older industries cease to be a source for jobs in the commonwealth, it is imperative for job creation and sustained economic growth that Pennsylvania has a workforce trained for the new emerging economy in science, technology, engineering and math. Science In Motion addresses this need by providing hands-on experiences with modern technology to tens of thousands of students in the commonwealth- the same technology required for today s high-tech workforce. No other program in the commonwealth delivers so much high-tech science equipment and support, to so many schools at so little cost. Why Science In Motion is cost effective Through its shared resources model and partnerships with higher education, SIM is an extremely cost effective model. By sharing equipment, science expertise and professional development resources, SIM provides services that no single school could individually afford. For example, a SIM site can thoroughly 2

3 support one subject area (e.g., chemistry) in at least 10 schools districts for only $200,000 per year. For a single school to purchase these services and resources independently, it would cost nearly $79,600 per district. The SIM approach realizes a taxpayer cost savings for each subject of nearly $59,600 per school district. The typical SIM center serves more than 10 schools resulting in a savings of at least $595,820 per site to the commonwealth compared to non-resource sharing models. The value of services and resources not charged to the state-awarded budget and thus, not quantified, should not be overlooked. In addition, the 10% overhead allowed by the state contracts falls significantly short of the cost of infrastructure provided by these higher education institutions. This infrastructure, which is provided at the cost of the participating higher education institutions, includes: Office and laboratory space Access to advanced chemistry and biology research equipment not yet purchased by the outreach program Electric, gas, and water utilities Deionized/distilled water sources Chemical safety, storage, and disposal services Shared preparation area equipment including chemical hoods, autoclaves, and dishwashers Approved gas tank storage areas Van parking General clerical and accounting support It is this infrastructure and the access to higher education science and education faculty expertise that makes the Pennsylvania Basic Education/Higher Education Science and Technology Partnerships cost efficient. However what makes the these partnerships most effective in keeping Pennsylvania science curricula current is the constant infusion of new concepts and related activities into high school classrooms through the close relationships formed between teachers at the secondary level and their college/university counterparts who are actively engaged in cutting edge research. Science In Motion service areas There are currently 12 colleges and universities integrated in the Science In Motion consortium including; Cedar Crest College, Clarion University, Drexel University, Elizabethtown College, Gannon University, Gettysburg College, Juniata College, Susquehanna University, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, Ursinus College, Westminster College, and Wilkes University. The subject matter (i.e., biology, chemistry, physics) varies among sites along with the size of the service area (Figure 1.) and individual schools served per site (Appendix A). The map represents historic service areas. Some sites have experienced shrinkage in their service area due to funding reductions. 3

4 Figure 1. Science In Motion Consortium sites color coded by and their historical service area in the Commonwealth. Is Science In Motion Effective? Science In Motion has consistently demonstrated its effectiveness to improve classroom science test scores, averaging over the years a 13% improvement in biology scores, and a 17% improvement in chemistry scores compared to students in control schools. These findings are consistent with those of sister science van programs in other states. In 2008, SIM initiated pilot pre/post testing for individual labs both to measure student learning as well as improve curriculum quality. Students across the commonwealth participating in the SIM program in 2008 demonstrated an average 67% improvement in the pre/post test results for laboratory modules. In 2009, the initial budget delay and the mid-year SIM complete budget line cut forced many sites, to shut down for a period or completely close for the remainder of the year. Hence, very little assessment was completed and the majority of the sites did not complete any pre/post testing for individual labs. Service Report The SIM Consortium service record for both the 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 school years reflect decreased service (Table 1.) due to the decreased funding. Current service levels are constrained by inadequate funding. There was a plateau in total student contacts (Figure 2.) and total equipment loans (Figure3.) that mirrored funding in the 2007/2008 school year and declined subsequent years due to decreased funding. 4

5 Now more than ever, due to the historical delays in the receipt of funds, many of the higher education partners are unable to allow programs to begin until the annual passage and signing of the budget enables contracts to be processed. It has become increasingly difficult for even the established sites to keep their outstanding and experienced Mobile Educators from looking for and accepting other sources of employment due to annual funding uncertainties. Overall, the sites would be able to serve more teachers and students if state funding and contracts could be reliably anticipated. Table 1. The Science in Motion Consortium combined service record for school years 2003/04 to 2009/10. School Year 2003/ / / / / / /10 Biology teaching visits 958 2,432 2,184 2,372 2,090 2,216 1,127 Chemistry teaching visits 1,261 2,676 1,961 2,247 1,830 2,001 1,407 Other teaching visits 1,171 1,091 1, ,283 1, Total teaching visits made 3,390 6,199 5,165 5,567 5,203 5,421 3,430 Total equipment loans 1,517 3,986 6,447 7,492 8,271 7,775 6,403 Total student contacts 96, , , , , , ,622 Total different schools served Total different teachers served Total different labs taught ,050 1,143 1,286 1,059 Total in accelerated classes 19,083 31,289 48,819 69,366 72,298 18,993 48,010 Figure 2. Total student contacts by the Science in Motion Consortium from school years 2003/ /10. 5

6 Figure 3. Total equipment loans by the Science in Motion Consortium from school years 2003/ /10. All sites have struggled to maintain a high level of service to their schools despite funding reductions and delays. Other sources of grants, gifts, and donations have allowed some sites to significantly enhance programs beyond the level supported by the state allocation; however, such support is transient at all sites. All sites receive more requests for school visits than the Mobile Educators are able to service. National Recognition of Science In Motion The Science In Motion program was awarded a certificate from the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) for being an exemplary model for excellence in science education and received gratitude for its contribution to STEM learning. The CEE mission is to nurture young scholars to careers of excellence and leaderships in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and to encourage international collaboration among leaders in the global community. At the CEE National Lab Skills Symposium, in Washington D.C. in April 2010, focus groups called attention to exemplary efforts by programs to help high school teachers and students involved in science and technology education. Science In Motion was a program chosen that exemplifies several of the criteria which will be used by CEE as it makes available programming to different states. 6

7 Appendix A Schools served in by each site of the Science In Motion Consortium. 1. Cedar Crest College Agora Cyber Charter School Catasauqua High School Emmaus High School Freedom High School Jefferson Elementary Liberty High School Muhlenberg Elementary Parkland High School Pleasant Valley High School Shafer Elementary Whitehall High School William Allen High School 2. Clarion University Allegheny -Clarion Valley Junior/Senior High School Brockway Junior/Senior High School Brookville Junior/Senior High School Clarion Area Junior/Senior High School Clarion Limestone Junior/Senior High School Clarion County Career Center Cranberry Junior/Senior High School DuBois Middle School DuBois High School DuBois Christian School East Forest School West Forest School Elderton Middle School Ford City Junior/Senior High School Franklin Middle School Franklin High School Keystone Junior/Senior High School Kittanning Middle School Kittanning High School North Clarion Junior/Senior High School Oil City Middle School Oil City High School Punxsutawney Middle School Punxsutawney High School 7

8 Punxsutawney Christian School Redbank Valley Junior/Senior High School Rocky Grove Junior/Senior High School Saint Patrick s Catholic School Titusville Middle School Titusville High School Union Junior/Senior High School West Shamokin Junior/Senior High School Venango Christian High School 3. Drexel University Agora Cyber Charter School Bartram High School Ben Franklin High School Beulah Baptist Christian School Bodine High School Central High School Franklin Learning Center George Washington High School Girls High School Lamberton High School Masterman High School Mennonite High School New Media Technology Charter Middle School PA Clinical Junior/Senior High School Parkway-Northwest High School Philadelphia Military Academy at Elverson Samuel Fels High School Science Leadership Academy West Philadelphia High School West Philadelphia High School Academy of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering 4. Elizabethtown College Elizabethtown Area High School Hempfield High School J.P. McCaskey High School Lebanon High School McCaskey East High School Mt. Calvary Christian School Pequea Valley High School Pottsville Area High School Reading High School 8

9 5. Gannon University Cathedral Preparatory Central Tech Central Transitional Corry High School East High School Fairview High School Fort Leboeuf High School General McLane High School Girard High School Harbor Creek High School Iroquois High School Maritime School of Excellence McDowell Intermediate High School McDowell Senior High School McKean Elementary Mercyhurst Preparatory High School North East High School Northwest Collegiate Academy Charter School Northwestern High School Roosevelt Middle School Seneca High School Strong Vincent Union City High School Union City Middle School Villa Maria Academy 6. Gettysburg College (Advancing Science) Adams County Christian Academy Arendtsville Elementary School Bishop McDevitt High School Camp Hill High School Cedar Cliff High School Central York High School Chambersburg Area Middle School Chambersburg Area Senior High School Crabbs/Littlestown Christian Academy Cumberland Valley Christian Academy Delone Catholic High School Fairfield Area Middle School Fairview Elementary School Gettysburg Area High School 9

10 Good Shepherd School Greencastle-Antrim H.S. Hanover High School Hanover Middle School Hershey Christian School Immaculate Conception School Littlestown Christian Academy Mechanicsburg Middle School Montessori Academy of Chambersburg New Oxford High School Northern High School Paxtonia Elementary School Shalom Christian Academy Shippensburg Area Middle School Spring Grove Area High School Spring Grove Area Middle School St. Andrew Catholic School St. Francis Xavier School Upper Adams Middle School Upper Dauphin Area High School Upper Dauphin Area Middle School West Perry High School William Penn High School York Suburban High School York Suburban Middle School 7. Juniata College Altoona Area Junior High School Bishop Guilfoyle High School Calvary Christian Academy Central High School Grier School Hollidaysburg Area High School Hollidaysburg Catholic Middle School Hollidaysburg Junior High School Huntingdon Area High School Huntingdon Area Middle School Indian Valley Area High School Indian Valley Middle School Juniata Valley Junior/Senior High School Lewistown Area High School Lewistown Middle School 10

11 Mount Union Area Junior/Senior High School Southern Huntingdon County Junior/Senior High School Spring Cove Middle School St. John's Evangelist Middle School St. Rose Lima Middle School State College Area High School Strodes Mills Middle School Tussey Mountain Junior/Senior High School Tyrone Area Junior/Senior High School Williamsburg Community Junior/Senior High School 8. Susquehanna University Berwick Area High School Bloomsburg Christian School Bloomsburg High School Central Columbia High School Central Columbia Middle School Central Dauphin High School Danville Area High School Greenwood High School Hughesville High School Jersey Shore High School Juniata High School Lewisburg Area High School Line Mountain High School Loyalsock Township High School Meadowview Christian Academy Millville Area High School Milton Area Senior High School Montoursville High School Mt. Carmel Area Junior/Senior High School North Schuylkill Junior/Senior High School Selinsgrove Area High School Shamokin Area Junior/Senior High School Shikellamy High School South Williamsport Area High School Sunbury Christian Academy Tri-Valley Junior/Senior High School Williamsport Area High School 9. University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Austin Area Elementary and Middle School 11

12 Austin Area High School Beacon Light Bradford Area Christian Academy Bradford Area High School Cameron County High School Chestnut Street Elementary Coudersport Area Junior and Senior High School Eisenhower Middle School and High School Elk County Catholic Floyd C. Fretz Middle School Galeton Area Junior and Senior High School Johnsonburg Junior and Senior High School Kane Area High School Kane Area Middle School Mt. Jewett Elementary Northern Potter Junior and Senior High School Oswayo Valley Junior and Senior High School Otto-Eldred Elementary Otto-Eldred Junior and Senior High School Port Allegany Elementary Port Allegany Junior and Senior High School Ridgway Middle School Ridgway High School School Street Elementary Sheffield Middle School and High School Smethport Elementary Smethport Junior and Senior High School St. Bernard Elementary & Middle School St. Marys Middle School St. Marys High School The Learning Center Warren High School Youngsville Middle School/High School 10. Ursinus College Arcola Middle School Boyertown High School Downingtown East High School Downingtown West High School Downingtown Middle School Esperanza Academy High School Methacton High School 12

13 North Penn High School Owen J. Roberts High School Owen J. Roberts Middle School Pennridge High School Penn Woods High School Perkiomen Valley High School Perkiomen Valley Middle School Phoenixville High School Plymouth Whitemarsh High School Souderton High School Spring-Ford High School Spring-Ford 9th Grade Center Spring-Ford 7th Grade Center Twin Valley High School Upper Marion High School Wyomissing High School 11. Westminster College Center Elementary C.M. Musser Elementary Cochranton Elementary School Dassa McKinney School East Side Elementary East Lawrence Elementary Northside Elementary School Grove City Christian Academy Grove City College Grove City High School Hermitage Elementary School Hermitage Middle School Hickory High School Hillview Intermediate School Jamestown Elementary School Jamestown High School Kennedy Catholic High School Lakeview Area High School Laurel Elementary Laurel High School Lincoln High School Maplewood High School Mercer Elementary School Mercer High School 13

14 Mohawk Elementary School Mohawk High School Neshannock Elementary School Neshannock High School New Castle High School Notre Dame Oakview Elementary Perry Traditional Academy Pine Richland High School Pulaski Elementary Portersville Christian School Reynolds Elementary School Reynolds High School Saegertown High School Seneca Valley Intermediate School Seneca Valley High School Sharon High School Sharpsville High School Shenango Elementary Slippery Rock Elementary School Slippery Rock High School South Butler Elementary School Sto Rox Elementary School Union Elementary School West Middlesex Elementary School Westminster College Preschool Wilmington Area Elementary Wilmington Area Middle School Wilmington Area High School 12. Wilkes University Blue Mountain High School Coughlin High School Crestwood Middle School Dallas High School Elk Lake High School Grand Army of the Republic High School Hanover High School Hazelton High School Holy Redeemer High School Lakeland High School Lehighton High School 14

15 Meyers High School Northwest High School Pen Argyl High School Pittston Area High School Pocono Mountain East High School Pocono Mountain West High School Towanda High School Troy High School Tunkhannock High School Wallenpaupack High School Western Wayne High School Wyoming Valley West-Middle School Wyoming Valley West- High School 15